Nigeria’s aviation sector faces a potential nationwide shutdown as domestic carriers under the umbrella of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have warned they may suspend operations from April 20, 2026, over the sharp surge in aviation fuel prices.
The warning, contained in a letter addressed to the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), was reported by Channels Television on Wednesday.
Acording to AON, the price of Jet A1 has skyrocketed from about N900 per litre as of February 28 to approximately N3,300 per litre within a matter of weeks — an increase the group described as over 300 per cent.
In the letter, the operators described their notice as a final appeal after weeks of absorbing mounting operational costs.
“Accordingly, we hereby give notice that if this trend persists, all airlines in Nigeria will be compelled to suspend operations effective Monday, April 20, 2026. This serves as our final appeal,” the statement read.
The association argued that airline revenues are no longer sufficient to cover fuel expenses alone, rendering operations commercially unviable.
AON further described the spike in jet fuel prices as “artificial,” noting that global crude oil prices rose by only about 30 per cent within the same period — far below the increase recorded locally.
Jet A1 accounts for more than 40 per cent of airline operating costs in Nigeria, making it the most significant cost driver in the industry. With prices now exceeding N3,000 per litre as of April 15, operators say the burden has become unsustainable.
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The warning follows earlier concerns by industry stakeholders when aviation fuel crossed N2,000 per litre, prompting expectations of fare hikes and possible flight reductions. Since then, the further surge has intensified pressure on carriers already grappling with high maintenance costs, foreign exchange challenges, and regulatory charges.
Operators also pointed to supply constraints, noting that fuel marketers have struggled in recent weeks to consistently restock aviation fuel.
AON warned that the situation is already “decimating the aviation industry” and could have wider implications for national security, economic activity and millions of livelihoods tied to air transport.
The looming crisis comes at a time when African airlines are projected to operate on extremely thin margins. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently projected that African carriers would post a modest net profit of about $0.2 billion in 2026, despite a 6 per cent increase in passenger traffic.
The region’s average net margin is estimated at around negative one per cent, reflecting some of the highest operating costs globally and relatively low revenue per passenger.
By contrast, airlines in the Middle East, Europe and North America are forecast to record significantly stronger profits in 2026. Middle Eastern carriers are expected to lead globally with projected net profits of $6.8 billion, European airlines around $14 billion, and North American carriers approximately $11.3 billion.
Analysts say a coordinated suspension of airline operations in Nigeria would severely disrupt domestic travel, business activities and cargo logistics, particularly as air transport remains critical for connectivity across the country.
Aviation economists warn that unless urgent intervention addresses pricing distortions and improves fuel supply stability, airlines may be left with no option but to either sharply increase fares or ground flights.
With the April 20 deadline fast approaching, stakeholders are now watching closely to see whether dialogue between operators, fuel marketers and relevant authorities can avert what could become one of the most significant disruptions in Nigeria’s aviation sector in recent years.